Croatia topples Greece to reach semifinals of European Water Polo Championship

(Photo credit: European Aquatics/Istvan Derencsenyi)

Croatia has advanced through to the semifinals of the 2024 European Water Polo Championship after toppling Greece in Zagreb tonight.

Croatia turned it on in the final two quarters in front of a vocal home crowd as they came back from being 5-6 down after the first half to storm away with the victory 13-8. 

(Photo credit: European Aquatics/Istvan Derencsenyi)

Neither side would give an inch in the opening stages as they traded goal for goal throughout the first quarter which ended 3-3. Greece pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring Croatia 3-2 but then the tide would turn. 

Jerko Marinić Kragić led the way for Croatia, top scoring with four goals, as Croatia opened up a big lead scoring four unanswered goals in the third quarter.

They would keep the pressure on and secure their fourth semifinal at the European Championship in a row.  

(Photo credit: European Aquatics/Istvan Derencsenyi)

Croatia goalkeeper Marko Bijač had an outstanding match, making a number of important saves. 

Croatia will now face Hungary in the semifinal on Sunday after they eliminated Serbia in their quarterfinal clash earlier in the day. 

(Photo credit: European Aquatics/Istvan Derencsenyi)

In the first round of Group A, Croatia beat Spain after a penalty shootout 14-12, before an impressive victory over France 12.7. In the final group match, Croatia would suffer a defeat on penalties to Montenegro.